BISMARCK, N.D. (Legal Newsline)-Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem on Tuesday warned residents about fast talking door-to-door magazine sales crews working in Bismarck and other cities across the state.

The companies are being investigated by the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division for possible violations of North Dakota's Transient Merchants Law, a statement said.

"These door-to-door sales operations frequently use misleading and high-pressure sales tactics, often youth claiming they are selling the magazines to earn college scholarships or tuition, or raising money for a class trip," Stenehjem said.

The attorney general said residents should ask door-to-door salespeople to see a copy of the Attorney General's Transient Merchant's License and ask for subscription cancellation policy and details, among other things.

Parrell Grossman, director of the Consumer Protection Division, said consumers must be advised of their 3-day cancellation rights. Seniors at least 65-years-old have 15 days to cancel their subscriptions, Grossman said.

"However, cancellation of agreements and consumer refunds often are very difficult when dealing with fly-by-night magazine sales crews and questionable entities that may be fronting the sales crews," Grossman said

From Legal Newsline: Reach reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.